DISEASES IN DAIRY COWS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 127, 8 April 1926, Page 6

DISEASES IN DAIRY COWS.

INSTRUCTIVE LECTURE. Vaccines and Mammitis. At Messrs Newton King’s saleyards the other day a lecture was given by Mr J. Gill, M.IR.C.V.S., of the WallaceViile laboratory It was held under the auspices of the Stratford A. and Association, and there were about 40 in attendance. ■Slpeaking of mammitis, Mr Gill said all kinds of mammitis should be regarded as contagious as all would spread. Vaccination had been found difficult as there were many varieties of the germ, and a vaccine made from one strain would be useless to deal, with another. If a vaccine consisted of several different strains its power o-f combating any parrxcular one would be lessened. Mr Gill detailed th e various experiments carried out by the Department which had found that vaccinated cows got the disease just as easily as one that had not been so treated, and did not get over it any better. He did not think there was much hope of getting a general vaccine which would be of much use against contagious mammitis. If the vaccine wer© made from the disease in one' particular herd and used on that herd only, it might be effective. Mammitis had increased considerably since machine milking had come into vogue. That was due to several causes, one of which was that the machines were always liable to carry disease germs in the teat cups. Another cause was that the vacuum was often too strong. Often a man milking by machines did not become aware there was any disease until some time had elapsed. A good plan would be to use a small glass vessel, something like a saucer, and before putting on the teat cups to take a sample of milk from each quarter. Thus it would be seen whether there was anything suspicious in the milk. If there was the cow should be put out of the herd, at once. The fomentation of the quarters of an infected animal with a brine solution was recommended and it was pointed out that such an animal should be dried off as quickly as possible. It must also be remembered that a cow with a hard quarter was always a source of danger. The drying off of an infected animal must always be done thoroughly and slowly. Mr Gill quoted the experience of a certain farmer who had found that his losses from these diseases had greatly decreased since he had paid particular attention to green feed and breeding hygiene. In dealing with milking machines, the speaker said that teat cups might be disinfected between each cow by using a weak Condy's solution in which the cups would he washed. These cups should then be rinsed in water. A good strong solution of common salt could be used for the teat cups instead of Condy’s and the animal’s teats should also be soaked in this for a second or so before putting on the cups. It should always be remembered that common salt used properly was an excellent disinfectant and was very often more efficient than many more expensive articles. Mr Gill then demonstrated by means; of a cow as to the matter in which various cattle problems and . requirements could be dealt wit'h. Several questions were asked and answered, after which the speaker was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.